Which Path To Take? What Choices To Make?

Although there are exceptions, most people agree that a universal code of ethics does exist. Any kind of order would be impossible unless all civilized people have a set of principles that determine responsible behavior. C. S. Lewis wrote, “We know that people find themselves under a moral law, which they did not make and cannot quite forget even when they try, and which they know they ought to obey.”

Most agree that no society could survive without moral laws that spell out right and wrong conduct. The question then becomes: Whose morality will be legislated? All laws intrude on the morality of someone. Are there moral principles and guidelines that have withstood the unfailing test of time? Dan Taddeo believes the answer is yes!

In his latest book, THE CONTROVERSY, Mr. Taddeo focuses on “Godliness vs. Worldliness,” the subtitle. With boundless energy, tireless enthusiasm, and true-grit determination, he shares wisdom past and present to make individuals better human beings, make families stronger, and to keep our country principled and going in a positive direction. He does so by publishing and spreading the Word, the “Good News,” in nine books over several years. THE CONTROVERSY is a compilation of his favorite essays and quotations of his past publications.

In the book’s Introduction, Mr. Taddeo attempts to summarize what the reader is about to experience and he explains the spiritual and yet practical applications. What follows is some of that Introduction.
Godly truth is determined by God’s word: The Ten Commandments. Worldly truth is determined by the culture. Bible truth never changes; it is the same “yesterday and today and forever.” Worldly truth is the opposite; it is in constant change. Whenever these differences are ignored, negative consequences are sure to follow.

GODLINESS: Just as following natural laws protects people from physical harm, following spiritual laws shields them from much of life’s needless suffering and permits them to live meaningful lives. People need moral standards to make good choices. Those who choose a moral code of ethics grounded in the Bible will be well equipped to make all the right moral choices life will ever require. Right moral choices produce positive results and wrong moral choices produce negative results. It’s that simple, but not easy.

One might ask, “How do I actually put all of this into practice?” The Bible is very specific about certain rights and wrongs, such as those specified in the Ten Commandments

James Madison said, “We have staked the whole future of American civilization not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.”

Many argue that the Ten Commandments may have been applicable thousands of years ago but certainly not today. The truth is that these laws have provided wisdom through the ages and are as applicable today as they were when first given to Moses and the nation of Israel thousands of years before Christ. They are at the very foundation of our moral code in determining right from wrong conduct.

1. YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME. No deity, real or imagined, is to rival the one true god.

2. YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FOR YOURSELF AN IDOL. Do not worship false gods (images, sculptures, statues, pictures).

3. YOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD YOUR GOD IN VAIN. Do not curse or desecrate the name of God.

4. REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY BY KEEPING IT HOLY. “Six days you shall work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.” It was instituted for the benefit of all and it is as equally important as the other nine commandments

5. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER. Prize highly, care for, show respect for and obey parents. The commandment also applies to all family matters: marriage, parenting, children, youth and aging.

6. YOU SHALL NOT MURDER. This commandment forbids the loss of life inflicted by illegal means. Jesus raised this commandment to a new level when He said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” When we fail to do this, we commit mental murder.

7. YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY. As a married person, do not commit acts of sexual unfaithfulness, including all other acts of illicit sex.

8. YOU SHALL NOT STEAL. Do not take anything without permission that doesn’t belong to you.

9. YOU SHALL NOT GIVE FALSE TESTIMONY AGAINST YOUR NEIGHBOR. Do not be disloyal toward another by distorting the truth with intent to deceive.

10. YOU SHALL NOT COVET. Do not feel envy (especially painful envy) for possessions or relationships that belong to others.

The answer to America’s problems does not lie in more government spending, more laws, more police, or more jails. These actions focus on putting out fires rather than preventing them. What the situation calls for is a return to biblical moral values on which our nation was founded.

WORLDLINESS: Worldly beliefs, principles and values have been popular in the past, they remain so in the present, and will continue to be the case in the future. This doesn’t make it right.

All human inventions, such as traditions, customs, and ceremonies that are contrary to the commandments of God will be found worthless in that day when “God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Eccl. 12:14)

In our culture, we often discover too late that what we thought was right turns out to be wrong and what we thought was wrong turns out to be right. The test for a right decision is this: Did it adhere to Biblical truth?

The choice is between Godliness and worldliness. No one can serve two masters. It’s like trying to go in two different directions at the same time; you end up going in circles and you never reach your destination.